What I loved most about the results were realizing 1) how we all generally enjoy the same things (family, friends, food, faith and nature) and 2) how practical those things are. No one mentioned vacationing in a five-star hotel. Very few said winning the lottery, and owning your own island didn’t make anyone’s list.

So, if the things we love are so easy, then why aren’t we all skipping to work and smiling all the time? Why are people still so unhappy?

Because, the more you look at something, ironically, the less you see it. What once seemed like a miracle, when experienced on a daily basis, slowly becomes mundane. And just like that, we overlook our sources of happiness. We take them for granted, and generally we don’t miss them until they’re gone.

I’ve made a conscious effort to take nothing for granted lately, and it’s truly opened my eyes to how amazingly wonderful every day can be. For example, I thoroughly enjoy my parents and visit them whenever I can. I do this for many reasons, but one is that I know they won’t always be here. I keep in mind, one day, that drive to their house won’t be so joyful. So I want to take advantage of every happy moment with them now.

I just read this quote by William Edward Hartpole Lecky in Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project. It says:

There are times in the lives of most of us when we would have given all the world to be as we were but yesterday, though that yesterday had passed over us unappreciated and unenjoyed.

I like to think of it this way. Somewhere in the future, you’re reflecting on the moment you’re in right now and wishing you could go back.

Practice happiness today by being grateful for everything. It’s all about living with your eyes wide open to all of life’s little miracles.

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About Beliefnet Inspiration Report

The Inspiration Report is a Beliefnet blog that focuses on life lessons and stories that bring
us hope, lift our spirits, and make us smile.

In this culture we are all bombarded with negative news on a daily basis. Experts say that
exposure to bad news can dampen our spirits and sense of hope. Beliefnet, a leader in inspirational self-help on the web, brings you videos and messages that will inspire you to laugh often, love more and live your life to the fullest.